Cannot Connect to SQLEXPRESS Instance

I have intstalled SQL Server Express 2008R2 on a Windows 7 computer which is in a P2P network. The router has set port forwarding to allow access through the firewall so I can address it with an address on NoIP. That seems to be working fine, at least for port 80 and I assume also for port 1433. I have opened port 1433 for both inbound and outpound traffic; set SQLEXPRESS to accept both Windows Authentication and SQL login; started the SQLServer Browser and done everything else I can find on E-E and MSDN. I still cannot connect to the instance.
This first appeared when I tried to use the Upsizing Wizard in MS Access 2003 to create the SQLServer db on the server computer. It works fine on my development computer but cannot find the instance on the other computer.
Next, I created a small database on the server (TestDB) with only three records and wrote a VB2010 program to connect to the database. No joy. The error was:

A network-related or instance-specific error occurred while establishing a connection to SQL Server. The server was not found or was not accessible. Verify that the instance name is correct and that SQL Server is configured to allow remote connections. (provider: SQL Network Interfaces, error: 26 - Error Locating Server/Instance Specified)

Suggestions on how to properly set this up would be greatly appreciated. This is for a non-profit that cannot afford hosting so we need to be able to use NoIP or a similar service. The test program is attached.

Also, under the SQL Server Network configuration, under the IP addresses, look right to the bottom. IP ALL port is possibly set to 1031, note whatever value it is so you can go back to it. Try changing

I had a similar one, a few weeks back, and tracked it to some setting in the configuration manager. I cannot recall what is was (somewhere in the advanced tab). WE also turned off the firewall while testing to ensure it still wasn't in the way.

I found advanced tabs on two properties dialogs. Neither showed anything I thought I should change. Several people had reported problems with connections that were the result of sqlbrowser service not running, so I did some searching about sqlbrowser even though the service is running on my computer. An MSDN article indicated it could be run in debug mode from a command line with the command sqlbrowser.exe -c. I did that and got the following error: Failed starting SSRP redirection services -- shutting down. So, I'm going to look in that direction. ssrpub.dll is installed on my computer. I have no idea exactly where to go or how to proceed. While I'm stumbling around, I would appreciated ideas or suggestions. Thanks for sticking with me.

Also, under the SQL Server Network configuration, under the IP addresses, look right to the bottom. IP ALL port is possibly set to 1031, note whatever value it is so you can go back to it. Try changing to 1433. the in the services stop and start the SQL Server service.

The browser service was already running. I had set the IPALL to 1433 but upon looking, it was blank so I reset it. The problem persists. However, I traced packets using WireShark and noted that access was denied. There must be something about the username and password that is being rejected. I'll post progress here. Thanks.

Success! I am embarassed to say that when I reset the IPALL it was on the wrong computer. Just a senior moment with the KVM switch. When I did it again and altered the connection string to point directly to the internal IP address, I got denied saying the password needed changing. Hot Dog! Changed that and the connection succeeded. Went back to the NoIP address and with a slight modification, that worked. Thanks for all your help.

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